Diverting my BC's attention

[iw8shift]

Hello and good morning,
First of all thank you to all that give of themselves for Border Collies, it benefits many for your efforts. We have brought in a new family member that we named Solo formerly named Bryce, he is a young male neutered BC mix. Yesterday on a very muggy, soggy arrival to his new home before we went into the house we walked the area around our home. Of the strangest thing to happen an adult cat ventured sown his driveway and yard not slowly but at a good pace into the street where Solo and I were, to check us out. Solo did very well he remained still but at full attention in my hands where I was kneeling behind him. The cat, done with his check of us sidled slowly away without turning his back to us as I stood up and took my hands from around him to the leash Solo then pulled to follow the cat. I understand the reasons why and I have read the posts about loose leash walking which I plan to implement. Now this morning when we are in the street in front of the house where the cat came from Solo is very intent on venturing up into the yard and pulls hard on the leash, I gently and firmly divert his muzzle away from his focus without grabbing his snout. My real desire here is to learn ways that I can divert Solo's attention away from distractions to our activities. I am still learning his quirks and behaviors and I was instructed to gently guide Solo's muzzle or snout away from his focus which works in a slight manner, perhaps it is a learning behavior for him as well. So are there other techniques for Solo to learn to focus his attention on what I want him to focus it on? Thanks so much.

Ray

[dinah_kay]

I just had to chuckle a little since this made me think of what Dave likes to do when it comes to cats. Once we were on a walk and Dave stuck his head in a street drain type thing and out popped a cat. Well ever since then anytime we go by a grate or drain he tries to look in for a cat. In fact I have to watch him while scootering since he can be at a full run and then all of the sudden veer off course just to check a drain for a cat.

I wish I had something great to tell you as far as training goes. Dave has such a huge "cat" drive I don't know if anything will work. I do try and use his "leave it" command, but in all honesty that doesn't work so well when it comes to cats, Please let me know if you find something that works.

[dinah_kay]

LOL, I can just picture it Right now I am working on Roc, for him it is birds and squirrels. In fact I only got on to his bird fascination after he almost disjointed my arm trying to chase one. This is indeed a very tough one to beat. Cat's, birds, squirrels, bikes,skate boards, all very high in BC appeal. I just keep working on it as we go.

Well we are ok when it comes to squirrels. I think that is only because there are so many here (honestly hundreds just in my small neighborhood.) Dave will still drop his head and go into stalking mode, but he will listen to "leave it" then. So maybe that is the answer, go to an area with a ton of cats, and then maybe they won't be as exciting after a while, lol

[iw8shift]

We have gone for a walk three times today and Solo is very much improved, he still pulls at times but responds with correction i.e. keeping him at my side rather than at the end of the leash in front me, stopping and tugging the leash to me to bring him back to put slack in the leash. Also turning away form the direction he is pulling. Stopping and making him sit at my side till I was ready to walk again seemed to work best. I placed him on a leader while I was outside working, we were outside almost all day and he was very content to just be in the same vicinity as I. He was not spooked or spastic given that there were dogs and kids up the street playing. Solo does certainly respond he just has to tolerate the rookie at the other end of the leash, me.